The COVID-19 pandemic has left many businesses uncertain about the future but hoping for the best. The Giftland Mall is among them.
On April 1st, Giftland Mall made the decision to close its doors as part of efforts to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease by contributing to the strategy of social distancing.
Chief Operation Officer Devindra Deonarine told this newspaper that the mall is now hoping to fully resume business once the current partial lockdown, due to last until June 3, has concluded.
“With the entire mall closed, it is tough,” he said, while noting that only the FoodMaxx supermarket and pharmacy remaining open.
Deonarine said with restricted working hours, the mall has been minimising shifts and rotating staff from the different departments to work in the supermarket in order to assist everyone financially.
“The focus is to reopen, once that is allowed. The business is ready to put protocols in place,” he added.
Deonarine said concessionaires have given mixed feedback about the reopening of the mall, however, he noted that the mall is working with everyone to address these reservation.
He said the business will be following all recommended COVID-19 safety guidelines and once the mall is re-opened awareness programmes will be done to help educate persons about the importance of safeguarding themselves.
